Defend how a current television/streaming program of your choice has the elements of one of the stylized theatre genres mentioned in Ch. 8. Compare and contr

The Natural Elements of Flawed Characters

“Breaking Bad” is a popular television series that has been critically

acclaimed and celebrated for its well-thought-out storytelling and complex

characters. “Breaking Bad's” naturalist approach to storytelling is an appealing

element that makes it stand out from all the other shows today. This show takes

place in a world in which characters are subjected to the harsh realities of their

environment, and their actions are often a product of their circumstances, much

like the naturalist genre of theatre. In this essay, I will discuss the naturalist

elements in “Breaking Bad” and will compare and contrast it to the play "A

Streetcar Named Desire" and highlight similarities between the two works.

Naturalism is a literary and artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th

century. Naturalists sought to represent the world objectively, focusing on the

gritty details of everyday life using less dramatic themes and climaxes. Naturalist

works often explore themes of determinism, social conditions, and the darker

aspects of human nature. “Breaking Bad” embodies many of these naturalist

elements. The show presents a world where characters are driven by their

circumstances and the society in which they live. For instance, Walter White, who

is the protagonist of the show, is a high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with

cancer. Facing mounting medical bills and a lack of financial stability, Walter turns

to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine to provide for his family, as they

are financially insecure. Walter's actions directly result from his situation,

highlighting the naturalist theme of determinism.

"A Streetcar Named Desire," written by Tennessee Williams, is a play that

explores naturalist themes as well. The play follows Blanche DuBois, a fading

southern belle who comes to stay with her sister Stella and Stella's husband,

Stanley, in New Orleans. Blanche's attempts to escape her past and the ugly

realities of her life ultimately leads to her downfall. The play shows us a world

where characters are shaped by their social and economic circumstances, and their

actions are a product of these conditions. Blanche's descent into madness is a

product of her environment, just like Walter's actions are a product of his.

One of the similarities between “Breaking Bad” and "A Streetcar Named

Desire" is their exploration of the human mind. Both works delve into the darker

aspects of human nature, showing flawed and complex characters. For example,

Walter's transformation from a weak and mild-mannered teacher to a ruthless drug

mastermind highlights the complexities of the human mind. Similarly, Blanche's

past traumas and her attempts to cope with them showcase the darker aspects of

human nature.

Another similarity between the two works is their portrayal of society. Both

“Breaking Bad” and "A Streetcar Named Desire" presents a world in which

characters are subject to the harsh realities of their environment. Walt's decision to

enter the drug trade is a product of his economic circumstances, highlighting the

role of social and economic conditions in shaping individual behavior.

Comparably, "A Streetcar Named Desire" portrays the harsh realities of the

southern United States in the mid-20th century. The play explores the themes of

gender roles, class, and power dynamics, showing how these factors shape the

characters' lives.

Furthermore, both “Breaking Bad” and "A Streetcar Named Desire" present

flawed and complex characters. For example, Walter's character is particularly

complex as, throughout the show, we see him transform from an average high

school teacher and relatable character to a ruthless and less sympathetic drug lord.

His character arc highlights the complexities of the human psyche and the

transformative nature of external circumstances. Similarly, Blanche's character

shows us the dark aspects of human nature, like when she tries to escape her past

traumas by fabricating a new reality for herself. Her character arc explores the

themes of illusion and reality, showing how individuals can be driven to insanity

by their attempts to escape their past.

In addition to their exploration of naturalist themes and complex characters,

both works also explore the role of society in shaping individual behavior.

Breaking Bad portrays a society where economic struggles can lead individuals to

engage in criminal activities, while "A Streetcar Named Desire" depicts a society

where gender roles, class, and power dynamics shape the characters' lives. Both

works highlight the idea that individuals are not free to make their own choices but

are subject to their environment's constraints.

Despite these similarities, some notable differences exist between “Breaking

Bad” and "A Streetcar Named Desire." We see that “Breaking Bad” is a modern

work set in contemporary America and explores themes that are more relevant to

modern society, such as the war on drugs and the lack of healthcare and support. In

contrast, "A Streetcar Named Desire" is a classic play set in the mid-20th century

that explores the themes of sexism and classism in the southern United States. The

two works also have different narrative structures, with “Breaking Bad” being a

television show and "A Streetcar Named Desire" being a play.

However, there are some differences between the two works. “Breaking

Bad” is a more modern work set in contemporary America, while "A Streetcar

Named Desire" is a classic play set in the mid-20th century. The two pieces also

have different narrative structures, with Breaking Bad being a serialized television

show and "A Streetcar Named Desire" being a play. Despite these differences, both

works share many similarities in their naturalist approach to storytelling.

In conclusion, the naturalist storytelling approaches of "Breaking Bad" and

"A Streetcar Named Desire" demonstrates many similarities. Both works explore

the deterministic nature of life and the impact of society on shaping individual

behavior. Complex and flawed characters are portrayed in both works, whose

actions directly result from their circumstances. Walt's entry into the drug trade can

be defined by his financial struggles and desire to provide for his family, while

Blanche's inability to confront her past traumas leads to her tragic downfall. The

deterministic nature of life is emphasized in both works, with the characters'

behavior being shaped by their surroundings. Despite differences in their settings

and narrative structures, these two works share the same ideas in their exploration

of naturalist themes. Ultimately, "Breaking Bad" and "A Streetcar Named Desire"

are both influential works of art that showcase the intricate complexities of the

human experience and the transformative power of external circumstances.